OK, heck! I've always been advised against getting drunk as a solution to depression, but scientifically speaking: "it works" and my head now rings like a large gong. Because lately I've been confronted by the fact that my dad had Alzheimers so I'll probably get it too. I'm 72 & my short term memory is crap. I can't afford long term care but after watching my folks and grandpa go through it, I'm not too keen on repeating that mistake.
Last night I counted 9 (nine) relatively major projects (taking more than a week to complete) around my place that have been put on hold for a relatively long time (up to 8 years) because either the project lost relevancy or I'm waiting on some determining aspect. That becomes depressing when compared with the original intent and inspiration. So, (in desperation) I had a stiff shot of cheap brandy for perspective and BOY do I feel competent. As a veteran of the psychedelic generation, I know better than to act on any currant impulses (except to write because this has minimal repercussions) and tomorrow I can review what was decided for anything practical.
Yet here we are: inspiration in a bottle, Satans elixir: The Demon Rum. except, uh... I still don't see resolution for most of the nine ossified projects, those might take some weed and amphetamines which I also swore off (and don't have handy).
But for the most part, right now I don't much care about the projects.
This is a genuine blessing, and the groundwork for objectivity. Because one thing at a time. My friend Eskimo Tom on L road is drunk all (90%) of the time (vodka), I superciliously try to tell him to get sober and gird up his loins, but he always laughs me off. OK I get it. Tomorrow I'm going to see someone about a fender repair, but then there's a Chevy s-10 that leaks compression in #2 cyl and I'm going to find out if focused attention and some K-seal stop-leak will fix it if I remove the spark plug and disconnect the injector so there'll be no compression in that cylinder and the k-seal will be able to flow into the weak gasket or whatever is going on in there. OK it's not a major 1 week+ project but it's been chronic for about a year and this solution is new so I'm up.
update: It worked, there was also a bad injector and burned out catalytic converter (whew).
Oh, and this: Clues to brain changes in depression (Sciencedaily.com)
My advice: Get half drunk and consider your options because THEY GET SIMPLE. (good luck)
